Former Wagner kicker Czech goes 1-for-2 in Steelers debut

Former Wagner College kicker Piotr Czech was 1-for-2 in field goal attempts in his preseason debut with the Steelers on Thursday night. (Staten Island Advance file photo by Joshua Carp)

Maybe it was nerves. Former Wagner College kicker Piotr Czech made his first professional appearance with the Steelers on Thursday night, and when he lined up the 36-yarder at the start of the third quarter he did something he rarely did with the Seahawks; he missed.

The Polish-born kicker was able to redeem himself later in the game, however, by splitting the uprights on a 44-yard field goal with 1:44 to go in the fourth.

The Steelers went on to win the game, 20-10, and Czech was 2-for-2 on PATs

Czech has been impressive in training camp, showcasing his powerful leg (he booted a 60-yard FG in practice) and some reports speculate that Czech could have the inside track to land a roster spot with the defending Super Bowl champs due to his versatility as a punter and a kicker.